What does obligatory mean?
Word: Obligatory
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Obligatory means demanded by a rule or law, so that you cannot choose to leave it out.
Synonyms: compulsory, mandatory
Antonyms: voluntary
How do you spell obligatory?
Syllables: ob - lig - a - to - ry
Tricky part: The ending is ory, not ary. The vowel there is hardly heard, so pupils borrow the ending of words such as necessary and write obligatary.
Watch out for: obligatary, obligatery
Memory tip: Picture a school notice that says: Story time is obligatory. Story sits at the end of that notice to remind you how the word finishes.
Obligatory in a sentence
Example 1: Wearing a helmet is obligatory for everyone riding on the cycling track.
Example 2: Morning assembly is obligatory for all students on Mondays.
Example 3: After the match came the obligatory group photo with the coach.
Fun Fact
The verb oblige is a close relation, and both words go back to a Latin verb meaning to bind. Something obligatory ties you to it, much as a knot holds a rope.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
obbligatory
a) g
b) b
c) l
d) t
Show answer
b) b. The word opens with ob, and that b stays single.
Mingle-Mangle
Rearrange the jumbled letters in the sentence to form the right word:
Sports practice before the annual day is oygarlibto for every member of the house team.
a) celebratory
b) exploratory
c) preparatory
d) obligatory
Show answer
d) obligatory. Count a g in the letters but no p or c, and the other three adjectives drop out.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. perennial 2. obligatory 3. resilient 4. nostalgea
a) that you must do because of a rule
b) quick to recover after a setback
c) continuing through many years
d) a warm longing for times past
Show answer
d) a warm longing for times past. Nostalgia needs an i, not an e, just before its final a.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word obligatory as used in the sentence:
A science project in the holidays is obligatory for all Class 8 pupils this year.
a) binding
b) essential
c) enforced
d) optional
Show answer
d) optional. What is optional may be taken up or left alone, which is the reverse of a fixed rule.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. On a school trek, which notice makes something obligatory?
a) Trekkers may bring a hat if they wish.
b) All trekkers must carry a water bottle.
c) A walking stick is a useful extra.
d) Snacks are welcome but not needed.
Show answer
b) All trekkers must carry a water bottle.
2. If a club fee is obligatory, every member ____
a) can skip it by asking politely
b) has to pay it before joining
c) may pay it if they wish
d) gets a reward for paying it
Show answer
b) has to pay it before joining
